HOMILY FOR 24TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B
HOMILY FOR 24TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: DEEPER IN LOVE
BY: Bishop Gerald M. Musa
Isaiah 50: 5-9, Ps. 116, James 2: 14-18, Mark 8:27-35
One of the favourite and inspiring Catholic songs in Nigeria is titled “Take Me Deeper in Love with You Jesus” written by Sir Jude Nnam. The song goes thus: “Take me deeper in love with you Jesus oh deeper in love; hold me closer in love with you Jesus oh closer in love with you.” The first stanza is as inspiring as the chorus: “Lord there is a longing only You can fill a raging tempest only You can still…my soul is thirsty for You O my God, Lord quench my thirst, Lord feed my soul.” This song stirs a unique emotion in the heart. It resonates with our desire to be closer to God and to have a deep and affectionate relationship with him.
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The 50th Chapter of the book of Isaiah (Servant Song) gives us an idea about what a deep and personal relationship with God means. The words of the prophet Isaiah in this chapter are pointing to Jesus, the Messiah. The prophet speaks about how God drew him closer by opening his ears to listen. This means there is no way we can get closer and intimate with God without constantly and continuously opening our ears to listen to his voice speaking to our hearts. It is through humble listening that we receive guidance from God. Besides, the prophet speaks about a servant (Jesus) who will endure suffering to save many. This is to say there is no deep relationship with God without suffering.
Jesus categorically tells his disciples, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34-35). Jesus practised what he preached as he offered his back to those who beat him, his cheeks to those who pulled out his beard; He did not hide his face from mocking and spitting” (Isaiah 50:6). Despite his suffering, he had unshakeable confidence in God when he says, “For the Lord God helps me; therefore, I have not been confounded; therefore, I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame” (Isaiah 50:7) He knew that despite his suffering and pain God would ultimately vindicate and protect him. He goes on to challenge his tormentors and adversaries by saying “He who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me. Behold, the Lord GOD helps me; who will declare me guilty? Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up” (Isaiah 50:8-9). The relationship of this servant with God is deeply amazing. He believes no accusation or condemnation can stand because God is the ultimate protector and judge. He knew that the victory of evil over good is only temporary. In short, this song of the servant (Jesus) in the book of Isaiah shows an intimate, trusting, obedient, confident and submissive relationship with God.
Furthermore, the letter of St James goes to show us that an intimate and deep relationship with God cannot be complete if actions do not evidence it. St. James challenges believers to translate their faith and affectionate relationship with God into actions that reflect the love of God. True faith cannot remain theoretical or intellectual but must be demonstrated in action. The Apostle asks a pungent question: “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?” (James 2:14). He asserts, “In the same way, faith by itself if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:17). Jesus demonstrated His love for us through His actions—His teachings, healings, and ultimate sacrifice on the cross. In the same way, a genuine relationship with Him transforms the believer’s life into one of active love and compassion toward others. A deeper relationship with Christ stirs believers to respond to the needs of those around them. When someone is deeply and truly connected to Christ, their life produces good works as the fruit of that relationship (John 15:5). These works are expressions of the love, grace, and mercy they have received from Christ.
The Psalmist further explains another dimension of a deeper relationship with God which implies walking closely with Him. He says, “I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living” (Psalm 116:9). To walk in before the Lord is to be aware of God’s loving presence and guidance. This verse expresses the psalmist’s deep gratitude for God’s deliverance and his resolve to live faithfully in God’s presence. To “walk before the Lord” signifies living one’s life with a conscious awareness of God, being mindful of His presence and guidance. In the context of a deeper, personal relationship with God, this verse provides rich insights. For someone who desires a closer relationship with God, this “walking” is a commitment to seek God in daily activities, choices, and interactions. It is about living life in communion with God, letting His presence shape one’s actions, thoughts, and attitudes. The Psalm is a call to live out one’s faith vibrantly in the present world, with a heart set on God.
The conversation between Jesus and His disciples emphasises the nature of his personal, deeper, and affectionate relationship with them. Jesus begins by asking His disciples what people are saying about Him, but then He turns the question personal: “Who do you say I am?” Peter’s response, “You are the Messiah,” reveals that knowing Jesus is central to the relationship He seeks with His followers (Mark 8:27-29). This question invites them to go beyond popular opinions and form a personal, intimate understanding of who He truly is.
To learn to be closer and deeper with God we have to learn from the relationship of Jesus with God. A Kenyan proverb says, “A bird will always use another bird’s feathers to feather its own nest.” This means we rely on Jesus to learn what a deeper relationship with God implies. We grow through the love and wisdom we receive from spiritual writers and saints who lived the Christian life long before us. For example, St. Teresa of Ávila used the image of a castle with many rooms to explain the soul’s journey toward union with Christ. She described each level of prayer as a room that brings us deeper into the “interior castle” of our souls where Christ dwells. The deeper the soul travels, the closer it comes to a profound union with God. According to St. John of the Cross A deeper relationship with Jesus often passes through suffering and spiritual dryness. He wrote about the “Dark Night of the Soul,” a spiritual experience where one feels abandoned by God, but is being drawn into a more profound and pure union with Him. St. Thérèse of Lisieux, in her “Little Way,” taught that a deeper relationship with Jesus is not necessarily about grand acts of faith, but about doing small things with great love. St. Francis of Assisi’s entire life was marked by radical poverty and humility, which he saw as the key to deeper intimacy with Christ. By stripping away worldly attachments, Francis could fully embrace Christ in simplicity, becoming one with Him in both joy and suffering.
A deeper relationship with Jesus often involves letting go of worldly attachments, ambitions, and comforts, just as Francis did. St. Ignatius of Loyola taught in his Spiritual Exercises that a deep relationship with Jesus involves recognizing God’s presence in all aspects of life. Ignatius called this “finding God in all things.” Through daily reflection (the Examen), he encouraged Christians to discern how God is present in every joy, sorrow, and decision. Each of these saints encountered Jesus in a deeply personal and transformative way. In summary, the prophet Isaiah, the Letter of St James and the words of Jesus challenge us to develop a trusting, loving and deeper relationship with God in every life circumstance. Intimacy with God involves listening and submitting to God, living in God’s presence, and demonstrating our faith through action and a call to deny ourselves take up the cross and follow Jesus.
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